Colostrum for gut protection and recovery

Colostrum, the first milk produced just after birth, has an unexplored therapeutic potential. Via growth-promoting, antimicrobial and immune effects, it may improve gut function in patients with inadequate digestive capacity, unstable microflora and impaired gut immunity. Two serious disorders with these characteristics are necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and short bowel syndrome (SBS). Colostrum remains however, poorly investigated beyond the well-known effect on neonatal survical of farm mammals. Development and validation of specific bovine colostral products could play a role in preventive nutrition approaches and in therapy for some vulnerable patient groups.
In the project, we use a concerted action that include cell, animal and human investigations, to fully characterise the therapeutic effect of this unique biological fluid. Studies in human NEC and SBS patients will be paralleled by studies in novel pig models of NEC and SBS. Mechanisms underlying the clinical effetcs in vivo are described using several gut cell lines in vitro. The studies include separate investigations of hyper-immune colostrum with specific immunity against a key group of gut pathogens (Clostridia) and also studies on a colostral immunomodulatory peptide, transforming growth factor -- (TGF--). The project increases the basic understanding of gut diseases, and their relation to diet. It forms the basis for commercial development of an effective and safe clinical treatment of specific diseases based on oral intake of bovine colostrum.